Inside Innovation: Monthly Meeting Hosted by Diebold Nixdorf

This month’s meeting at Diebold Nixdorf brought together members for an inside look at one of Stark County’s most recognized global technology companies. Headquartered in North Canton, Diebold Nixdorf is a worldwide leader in banking and retail technology, helping automate, digitize and transform the way people bank and shop across more than 100 countries.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the company’s rich history of innovation, from its roots in security and vault manufacturing to its position today as a global provider of ATMs, self-service solutions, software and retail technologies. The visit highlighted the importance of advanced manufacturing, technology integration and workforce development in driving economic growth throughout our region.

The meeting also provided valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration and discussion around the future of manufacturing and technology in Stark County. We are grateful to the Diebold Nixdorf team for opening their doors, sharing their expertise and demonstrating how innovation continues to shape the future of industry both locally and around the world.

NEW Member Feature: Member Spotlight – Sun America LLC / Central Coated Products

We are excited to launch a new feature in our monthly newsletter: the SCMWDP Member Spotlight.

Each month, we will highlight one of our valued manufacturing partners to showcase their company, workforce initiatives, innovations, community partnerships, and industry insights. This is a great opportunity to increase visibility for your organization while helping fellow members better understand the incredible work happening across our regional manufacturing community.

Why Participate?

• Showcase your products, services, and capabilities
• Highlight workforce needs and hiring opportunities
• Share leadership insights and industry lessons
• Promote community involvement and employee development initiatives
• Announce company news, innovations, or product launches

If interested, please fill out the SCMWDP Manufacturing Member Spotlight Submission Form.

Our featured company is Sun America, LLC and Central Coated Products, Inc.

What products, services, or capabilities does your company provide, and what makes your organization unique within the manufacturing industry?

Sun America and Central Coated Products are manufacturing companies that specialize in paper and plastic packaging solutions. Our operations include waxed and treated paper products, paper cups, cupcake and candy liners, thermoformed plastic trays and containers, slitting, sheeting, packaging, and warehouse/logistics support. What makes our organization unique is the combination of long-standing manufacturing knowledge, hands-on production expertise, and a team that is committed to continuous improvement. We are proud to serve customers with quality products while continuing to invest in our people, equipment, community and processes.

What current workforce, training, or hiring needs is your company focused on, and how can community or industry partners support those efforts?

Our current workforce focus is on attracting and retaining reliable manufacturing talent for roles such as machine operators, production employees, maintenance technicians, warehouse/material handling positions, and front-line leadership. We are also focused on strengthening training, onboarding, safety awareness, and leadership development so employees have the tools they need to be successful. Community and industry partners can support these efforts by helping connect job seekers to manufacturing career opportunities and by promoting the value of skilled trades and production careers. We also welcome partnerships that expose students and community members to the many career paths available in modern manufacturing.

What advice, innovations, or key lessons would you share with other manufacturers in our region as they navigate today’s workforce and industry challenges?

One key lesson we continue to focus on is that workforce development cannot stop after hiring. Employees need clear expectations, consistent communication, hands-on training, and leaders who are present, engaged, and willing to listen. Safety is also about more than machine guarding or production procedures; employees want to feel heard, respected, and comfortable in their work environment. The employee experience matters, and the way people are treated has a direct impact on culture, retention, and performance. Manufacturing continues to change, but the importance of building trust, coaching employees, and creating a culture of accountability remains the same. We believe employees do their best work when they feel valued, supported, and able to be themselves. Investing in people, not just equipment, is one of the most important ways manufacturers can remain strong, competitive, and prepared for the future.

What community partnerships, educational initiatives, or employee development programs are you most proud of?

We are proud of our continued focus on employee development, including leadership training, supervisor and lead training, and improved onboarding resources for new employees. Recently, our team participated in communication and leadership training using the 5 Voices framework, which helped strengthen communication, accountability, and team connection. We have also developed additional tools and resources for supervisors to support consistency in HR policies, attendance, safety, and employee relations. These initiatives are important because they help build stronger leaders and create a better experience for employees across both companies.

Additional Good News

We are excited about continued growth and investment within our operations, including equipment movement and integration that will support additional manufacturing capacity and future job opportunities. We are also continuing to improve employee engagement through recognition, training, communication, and activities that celebrate our workforce. Our teams are working hard to strengthen safety, quality, and operational performance while maintaining a positive and professional workplace culture. We are proud of the progress being made and excited for what is ahead for Sun America and Central Coated Products.

SCMWDP Receives Workforce Impact Award at Good Jobs Challenge Celebration Event

The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) was honored to receive the Workforce Impact Award at the Good Jobs Challenge Celebration Event, recognizing the partnership’s commitment to strengthening the manufacturing talent pipeline and creating opportunities for individuals throughout Stark County.

Since the launch of the Good Jobs Challenge initiative, SCMWDP has brought together manufacturers, education partners, workforce organizations, and community leaders to address workforce needs through collaboration and innovation. Through educator experiences, student career awareness programs, industry sector partnerships, work-based learning opportunities, and expanded training pathways, the partnership has helped connect individuals to meaningful careers while supporting the talent needs of local manufacturers.

This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our manufacturing employers, educational institutions, workforce partners, and community stakeholders who have worked together to build a stronger workforce ecosystem. The award serves as a testament to what can be accomplished when industry and education align around a shared goal: preparing current and future workers for high-demand, high-wage careers while strengthening the economic vitality of our region.

We are grateful to all of our partners whose dedication and collaboration made this achievement possible and look forward to continuing this important work in the years ahead. Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the success of SCMWDP and the impact of the Good Jobs Challenge throughout Stark County.

Husted Announces High School Tech Internship Program

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, today announced that the next round of the High School Tech Internship program is officially open for students and businesses to apply to participate. The program offers Ohio employers wage reimbursement for hosting high school interns in tech-related roles, helping businesses establish a recruitment pipeline while providing students with valuable work experience at an early age.

Interns will perform job duties similar to those of entry-level employees in technology roles, including artificial intelligence (AI), software development, data, and IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, broadband/5G, and other tech-focused fields. Employers can be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the wages paid to interns, with a cap of $5,000 per intern, to encourage businesses to hire high school students for these positions.

To participate, businesses, schools, and students interested in applying should contact the intermediary in their region. High School Tech Internship intermediaries ensure the program is administered seamlessly between the state and employers.

Selected High School Tech Internship Intermediaries include:

• Northwest and Western Ohio: Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE)
• Northeast Ohio: Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U)

For more information on the program, including contact information for intermediaries, click here.

Industry Sector Partnership Grant – Round 6 Award Announcement

The SCMWDP is honored to be among the recipients of the Ohio Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Round 6 Grant, recently announced by Mike DeWine and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. The award of this competitive grant recognizes the power of collaboration between industry, education, workforce, and community partners to address Ohio’s workforce needs and create opportunities for current and future workers.

As we look ahead, we are energized by the possibilities this funding creates. The grant will allow us to expand workforce initiatives, strengthen employer engagement, build new partnerships, and continue developing innovative solutions that connect individuals to meaningful careers while supporting the talent needs of our region’s employers. Industry Sector Partnerships are designed to bring businesses, educators, training providers, and community organizations together around shared workforce challenges and opportunities.

We are grateful to our many partners whose commitment and collaboration made this achievement possible. Together, we look forward to building an even stronger workforce pipeline, supporting economic growth, and creating new opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities throughout our region.

The Governor’s press release and the full list of Round 6 grantees can be found here: Ohio Industry Sector Partnership Grant Information.

Educator Manufacturing Tour Gives Teachers a Firsthand Look at Careers of Today and Tomorrow

A sold-out group of educators recently participated in the 2026 Educator Manufacturing Tour, gaining firsthand insight into what modern manufacturing looks like and the skills students need to succeed in today’s workforce.

Throughout the three-day experience, educators visited manufacturing leaders including Ohio Gratings, Hendrickson, and Vail Industries. Participants explored advanced manufacturing environments, learned about emerging technologies, and connected classroom learning to real-world career opportunities.

Employers consistently emphasized the importance of skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, dependability, digital literacy, and a willingness to continuously learn. These durable skills, combined with technical knowledge, are increasingly essential for students seeking rewarding careers in manufacturing and other high-demand industries.

The impact of the tour was evident in participant feedback. One educator remarked, “I feel so bad, we should be paying you for this day,” reflecting the value of the experience and the appreciation for the access provided to local industry partners.

Upon completing all three days of the program, participating educators will earn two graduate credit hours through University of Mount Union.

A special thank you to our host companies, as well as our partners at Stark Education Partnership, SARTA for transportation, and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce for helping make this valuable professional development opportunity possible. Together, we are strengthening connections between education and industry and helping prepare the next generation of talent for the careers of the future.